BLESSED SPEEDY

Long time and my blog has been ignored - sorry one and all! I'll try and do a catch up on what has been happening in the last month six weeks or so. Firstly, my gorgeous granddaughter Mia started school - it doesnt seem that long ago that I was blessed to be at her birth, and here she is all grown up! Next my other gorgeous granddaughter Maddison turned one - again doesnt seem that long ago that I was at her birth as well, my how quickly they grow up! And thirdly, my baby Megan has spread her wings and gone off to Bendigo to study nursing at La Trobe University - once again, how quickly they grow up! Add into that mix me heading off twice to Melbourne in a month, firstly to the Dairy Australia Leadership Program and then to the Murray Goulburn Supplier Development program life here has been busy. Gary and I are enjoying just being "the two of us", and I even have been able to fit in some cow time. Phew.... how's that for a catch up?

  Dear All, Well here we are already at the end of 2012, and hasn’t this year just flown? Unfortunately this year we have had lots of down moments and sadness, my stepfather died in August which was a real shock although he hadn’t been well for some time. We also had to send our beloved cat, Speedy, to heaven which was also sad as she had been with us for 15 years. We have had trouble with cattle being sick, dying of blout and various other “incidents” as well as Dianne being extremely sick and being hospitalised for several days and Gary being injured by a cow!   BUT..... There were some highs as well – we welcomed to our family two new granddaughters – Holly and Daryl’s first child, Addison and Aimee and Jason’s daughter, Maddison. They are both gorgeous! Sarah has finished university (studying photography) and Megan has completed year 12 (as well as taking an alternative “schoolies” trip to Cambodia). Number 1 granddaughter, Mia gra...

Megan achieved another milestone today - she passed her driving licence.  So no more taxi driving for me (hoepfully).  She is so happy and I am so proud of her - she is a great driver and I wont worry too much about her out there in the world (well Ill try not to!) I have been pondering how much changes in a young persons life when they turn 18 - voting, able to drink, drivers licence, end of high school and exams and choosing what to do next year etc etc . Its a lot all in one go! Megan will be driving Gary's old car - the good old mazda 626 station wagon, yes its not the most fanciest car but it will get her around for now, and Ive put a flash stereo in it that plays her iphone etc so she is happy I think.

Well its almost the end of an era for me - yesterday was Megans "muck up" day at school - the last official school day for year 12 students before they tackle exams and are finished with high school.  Once that happens I will no longer have any kids at school (except for uni but that doesnt count does it?)  So it was a happy/proud but sad and poignant moment for me -and doesnt Megan look so cute dressed as a giraffe - a great costume which we bought on ebay from China for the princely sum of $20!  

On Thursday we had to send our lovely and much loved cat Speedy over the rainbow bridge. She came to us as a kitten and Megan was only 2 years old - 15 years ago actually, so a good and long and well lived life. Speedy has seen us all through our ups and downs and was the holder of many secrets and confidences.  Always ready for a cuddle and to keep you warm - and she always seemed to understand. Unfortunately due to her age she developed cancer and although she was not in pain she was hardly eating and getting thinner by the day.  So we made the choice to send her on her way. It was a sad day, and I still miss her - keep looking for her and hearing her bell ring but its not to be. Vale Speedy - you were a great cat and we miss you greatly.

Hows this for an oldie photo? It was taken in Christmas 2005 before Gary and I were married - look how thin I was then (not now though.....lol) Megan would have been 11, Aimee 18 and Sarah 14. My how we change in just a few short years PLUS because we werent married I hadnt taken over the sun room with my sewing stuff and various other bits of furniture so it was just a huge room with a pool table and a table tennis table.  The white chairs are the outdoor setting Gary bought me for Christmas that year and we had brought it inside to eat Christmas tea on.  Oh the memories............

In case you have been worried- I havent fallen off the perch or anything- just been incredibly busy. Garys leg is a little better but he is now paying the price for getting back to things much sooner than he should have.  Im often needed to help out and of course Im happy to do so - it just doesnt always seem to be at a convenient time! Also the last week we have had a student from Japan staying with us- her name is Risa and she has (hopefully) had a great time here with us -  milking and doing farm work etc and Megan and I took her to Murrabit market yesterday(Saturday) to do some shopping.   Megan drove and she is getting quite good!